Waterbury’s Caligiuri declares candidacy for Murphy’s seat
By GEORGE MOORE | Staff Writer 12/1/2005 Southington– Former Waterbury acting Mayor Sam Caligiuri filed papers today with the secretary of the state to become the first declared 2006 election candidate for the state’s 16th senatorial district. The district, which covers Southington, Wolcott and portions of Waterbury and Cheshire, is currently represented by Democrat Christopher Murphy. The seat will be vacated for next year’s elections as Murphy challenges Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson for the state’s 5th congressional district. Caligiuri, a Republican, gained widespread attention after filling the Waterbury mayor seat in 2001 after former Mayor Phillip Giordano was incarcerated on charges of enticing minors into sexual activity. Caligiuri held the position for six months before ceding it to Democratic mayor-elect Michael Jarjura. Caligiuri had been an alderman for the city for five years prior to being swept into the acting mayor role. He said his experience in Waterbury would translate well to the state’s General Assembly. In both cases, he said, the trend has been to increase spending at too great a speed in relation to the growth, resulting in either tax hikes or financial instability. “I’m concerned with some of the policies I see being implemented in Hartford – especially the fiscal policies,” he said. I lived firsthand in Waterbury where you’ve grown your government to the point that you can’t support it with the tax dollars you generate.” If elected to the state Senate, he said he would like to pass more business-friendly legislation and guard against overspending. He said spending issues prominent in Waterbury are also a concern in smaller towns like Southington. Caligiuri said he did not run for mayor during his term as acting mayor in order to depoliticize his position. During that six-month stint as the city’s leader, he said, he squared away Waterbury’s towing contract system, which was previously influenced by patronage. He also negotiated two collective bargaining agreements. Since leaving the mayor’s office, Caligiuri has focused on his career as an attorney for Hartford law firm Day, Berry & Howard and has continued to serve on a number of boards. Caligiuri was a deputy legal counselor for former Gov. John Rowland’s office from 1995 to 1997 prior to becoming an alderman. He is the chairman of the board of directors for the United Way of Greater Waterbury. He as recently appointed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell to serve on the Commission on Education Finance, established by Rell to review the state’s education funding formula. He resides in Waterbury. The vacuum left as Murphy runs for Congress could lead to several bids for the state Senate position. State Rep. John “Corky” Mazurek, D-80, has expressed strong interest in running for the seat. “I’m 90 or 95 percent convinced that it’s what I’m going to do,” said Mazurek. “I wouldn’t make a final decision until January. I have people in the house who are trying to get me to stay exactly where I am and I have other people who are speaking with me about the Senate seat who say it’s time to step up for the open seat.” Edward Pocock III, who chaired Southington’s Republican Town Committee for the last two years and has been on the Board of Water Commissioners, said he is considering either a run for the Senate’s 16th District or a House seat. It has been rumored that the Democratic Town Council Chairman John Barry has been considering a run for the 16th district. “I’m keeping my options open,” Barry said, when asked if he would run for the seat. George Moore can be reached at gmoore@newbritianherald.com or by calling (860) 225-4601, Ext. 225.
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